In a dramatic rescue in Texas, a father managed to locate and free his 15-year-old daughter from a kidnapping ordeal, thanks to tracking her phone, as reported by deputies.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office received a call about the abduction of a teenager in Porter, near Houston, at approximately 4:50 p.m. on Christmas Day.

“Upon arrival, deputies were informed that the young girl had taken her dog for a walk. When she failed to return on time, her worried parents used parental controls to pinpoint her phone’s location. Her father followed the signal to a remote, wooded area in Harris County, roughly two miles away,” explained the Sheriff’s Office.

They continued, “The father discovered his daughter and her dog inside a maroon pickup truck, in the company of a partially undressed 23-year-old man. He successfully freed his daughter from the vehicle and alerted authorities.”

According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Giovanni Rosales Espinoza “had brandished a knife to threaten the victim and forcefully took her from the street.”

Deputies said an investigation revealed that the suspect, Giovanni Rosales Espinoza, of Porter, “had threatened the victim with a knife and abducted her from the street.” 

Using descriptions provided by witnesses, the Sheriff’s Office said its deputies were able to track down Espinoza and bring him into custody without incident. 

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said “Espinoza was taken into custody without incident and charged with aggravated kidnapping and indecency with a child.” (Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office)

He was charged with aggravated kidnapping and indecency with a child  and remains held without bond. 

“Christmas is a day meant for joy, but this man chose to shatter that joy by targeting a child. I am incredibly proud of our deputies and detectives who worked tirelessly to ensure this dangerous predator was swiftly apprehended and is now off our streets,” Montgomery County Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said.

“Rest assured that your Sheriff’s Office remains vigilant every hour of every day to keep your families safe,” he added. 

Deputies said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.